Reflecting a number of clearing sales this season, a few major items failed to sell as the nearly 200 registered buyers appeared more intent on lower valued items.

But the pleasing aspect for the Ferriers was the sale of two of the major items, a Caterpillar Lexion header and a Fendt tractor.

The 480R model header (3000 separator hours) with a 10.9m (36ft) Macdon front and trailer, the last item offered, was initially passed in but quickly negotiated at $130,000, by Raymond Griffiths, Canaan Farms, owners of Aroona Station, Esperance.

The 2003 Fendt 924 tractor (2850hrs) was knocked down for $100,000 to Esperance machinery dealer and Fendt agent PH Kerr and Co, bought on behalf of a client.

More than 200 lots were offered with buyers from Kojonup, Boyup Brook Southern Cross and Salmon Gums.

The larger and higher-priced items which failed to sell at auction included John Deere 8870 and 7810 tractors, Morris 9000 bar and 7300 cart, Accuspray 7000 (36m, 120ft boom) and the RMH sheep and cattle feed mixer. But some of those items were being negotiated following the sale.

Higher-priced items to sell included a 10 tonne Norrish Spread Mor multi-spreader in very good condition. Spirited bidding saw the unit eventually sold to IJ and CA Tonkin, Newdegate for $28,000.

A Case W14B loader (5160 hrs) also saw good interest finally selling at $23,500 to William Hull, Varley.

Also keenly contested were two well-presented augers. A self-propelled Brandt 15.2m (50ft) model with a 20cm (8in) diameter barrel sold for $10,000 to a Ravensthorpe operation while a Burando Hill Farm King 851 SP went to Narembeen buyers at $18,500.

Of other grain-handling gear, an older model Vennings chaser bin was bought by Boyup Brook interests for $9500 while a fairly new 45t Brereton bin with hydraulic lift went at $8000.

Two other 35t Brereton models went at $4500 and $5000 respectively and of two 33t Sherwell bins, only one sold ($3750) while a Cole HD five-in-one bin with Hobbs Hoist went for just $3500.

An item which did prove popular was a two-year-old trailer mounted 525w Lorentz tracking solar pump, which was bought by Esperance interests for $8750.